The land that is to become Nevada was carved out of Utah. The name Nevada was taken from Sierra Nevada, the snowy mountain range in California – the Spanish word "Nevada" means precisely just that, "snowy."

Nevada favored the historical significance of its admission to the union in 1864, during the Civil War, when it adopted its state slogan 'The Battle Born State'.

Otherwise, Nevada is commonly called 'The Silver State' because of its rich silver resources. Nevada was once a destitute state, perhaps the only state in American history that was considered for 'extinction'. The rich silver strike at Tonopah in 1900 saved Nevada of this predicament, followed by more silver diggings in Goldfield and Rhyolite; then there were gold mines in Carlin Trend in Northern Nevada - the second richest in the world. These developments eventually propelled the state's economy. To this day mines still control a good percentage of Nevada's economy.

Gambling started in the state when in 1899, the first slot machine called 'Liberty Bell' was invented by Charles Fey. Early mining towns started this favorite pastime but soon were outlawed, in 1909, as part of a nation-wide anti-gaming crusade. A decline in mining output in the 1920s and during the Great Depression re-legalized gambling in 1931. Gambling stayed with Nevada and made the state a prime tourist destination, even setting off boom in construction and finance industries.

In Nevada today, resort areas and casino venues, mostly in Las Vegas and Reno just keep on attracting visitors from all over.

• Nevada Appeal - Frontpage